Bhubaneswar, 5 December (H.S.) : Odisha Vigilance on Friday apprehended a Forester from Brajrajnagar Range while he was accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 in exchange for granting official permission to cut and transport dry eucalyptus trees from private land.
According to a release issued by the Vigilance Department, “Sri Gouranga Sahu, Forester of Bandhbahal Section under Brajrajnagar Range, Dist-Jharsuguda, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 from a person to permit cutting and transportation of dry Eucalyptus trees from his land.”
The complainant had approached the Vigilance authorities after the Forester allegedly demanded money to issue the necessary order despite the trees being located on the individual’s own property. Acting on the tip-off, a Vigilance team laid a trap and intercepted Sahu inside the office premises. The release stated that the accused attempted to flee upon noticing the Vigilance personnel but was immediately apprehended.
The entire bribe amount of ₹5,000 was recovered from Sahu’s possession and seized as evidence.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches were launched at two locations linked to the accused to probe any disproportionate assets.
A case has been registered at Rourkela Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 13 dated 04.12.2025) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
